SMB

Cloud

EXCLUSIVE: Barracuda partners with browser-based unified workspace vendor Awingu

December 19, 2017 Mark Cox 1
The solution will be easy for partners to put together, and is available broadly through distribution, without requiring certification. It is available now for the Azure cloud, with further cloud support on the horizon.

Cloud

SAP showing good momentum in SMB cloud push

November 23, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on SAP showing good momentum in SMB cloud push
SAP has reorganized its internal organization this year to allow more aggressive recruitment of new cloud-focused SMB partners, including non-traditional partners. It’s a strategy they plan to accelerate in 2018.

Managed Services

Safetica looks to turn MSPs to MSSPs with new North American partner program

November 20, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Safetica looks to turn MSPs to MSSPs with new North American partner program
Safetica introduced a branded DLP offering to the North American market last year, an enterprise solution simplified for SMBs. Now with a new partner program focused on training MSPs how to offer a proof-of-concept to customers, they are looking to grow the partner base from dozens to thousands.

Backup

New subscription-based model highlights new version of Veritas Backup Exec

November 14, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on New subscription-based model highlights new version of Veritas Backup Exec
Veritas is hoping that many of its customers will move to its new subscription option, while also emphasizing that the new model’s simplicity will make life easier for partners.

Cloud

Salesforce offers CRM for very small businesses with Salesforce Essentials

November 7, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Salesforce offers CRM for very small businesses with Salesforce Essentials
Priced at $25 per user per month, Salesforce Essentials contains core CRM components like Einstein Artificial AI to help customers work smarter, and includes the Salesforce Trailhead online learning environment to make their experience easier.

Channel Programs

OEM player SecurityFirst transitioning to all-channel model for midmarket and SMB

November 3, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on OEM player SecurityFirst transitioning to all-channel model for midmarket and SMB
SecurityFirst has just turned their technology into a channel-friendly product, DataKeep, which its partners will sell.

Iva Perric-Lightfoot, country manager for ESET Canada
Podcasts

Perceptions and actions: The Canadian SMB security gap [Podcast]

October 31, 2017 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Perceptions and actions: The Canadian SMB security gap [Podcast]
ESET’s Iva Perric-Lightfoot on why education is key as Canadian SMBs note an uptick in security threats, but no uptick in the need to protect themselves.

Mobility

Zebra targets new SMB markets with new TC20 Android enterprise smartphone

October 26, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Zebra targets new SMB markets with new TC20 Android enterprise smartphone
The TC20 comes with feature functionality geared for SMB rather than enterprise, and a pricing model that eliminates the gulf between list and street prices that characterizes the enterprise mobility market.

Partnerships

Bitdefender, WatchGuard partner on integrated solution

October 25, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Bitdefender, WatchGuard partner on integrated solution
OEM licensing agreements are a significant part of the revenues of Bitdefender’s growing enterprise business.

Big Data

Tech Data looks to drive channel cloud analytics adoption with 30 Day Program

October 13, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Tech Data looks to drive channel cloud analytics adoption with 30 Day Program
The program, which Tech Data sees as a differentiator for them in the market, is designed to provide a repeatable cloud data migration and integration framework that will provide a proof of value in under 30 days.